Mosquito bar support



H. B.' JOHNSON MosQUITo BAR' SUPPORT FeB.v16, 1943.

Filed Aug. 21. 1942 Patented Feb. 16, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT lOFFICE MOSQUITO BAR SUPPORT Hugh B. Johnson, Rochester, N. Y.

Application August 21, 1942, Serial No. 455,589

(Granted under the act of March 3, 1883, as amended April 30, 1928; 370 0. G. 757) 7 Claims.

The invention described herein, if patented, may be manufactured and used by or for the Government for governmental purposes, without the payment to me of any royalty thereon.

The present invention relates to a mosquito bar supporting frame adapted to be applied to the conventional type of Army cot. In this connection it will be appreciated-that it is of utmost importance to provide Army field equipment of such design and construction that the soldiers may be protected from mosquitos and other insects while sleeping. It is also essential that any type of equipment provided for the purpose shall be of very small bulk and comparatively light weight, in order that it may be readily portable in the eld, and so that the assembly of the equipment will create no new problems of transportation or maintenance.

It is, therefore, the primary object of the present invention to provide a mosquito bar supportlng frame of such design and construction as to be of extremely light weight, easily portable and formed of straight, flat pieces, `so as to be well adapted to be packed and shipped in packages of comparatively small bulk.

A further object of the invention is to provide a sectional mosquito bar supporting frame arranged so that the individual sections may be easily fitted together into an assembled unit and may be instantly dismantled.

A further object of the invention is to provide a mosquito bar supporting frame constituting two identical end frames, each adapted to be attached to one of the opposite ends of a standard conventional Army type canvas cot, so that mosquito bar fabric may be draped between them to cover the cot.

A further object of the invention is to provide mosquito bar supporting frame including end frame assemblies, wherein each end frame assembly includes two vertical supporting rods that are identical in construction, so that the necessity of selecting right and left-hand matching parts is eliminated.

Another object of the invention is to provide a support frame of mechanical arrangement suitable for construction from non-critical materials, such as wood, and requiring a minimum of metal parts.

A still further object is the provision oi a supporting frame designed to secure itself in position on the frame of a conventional Army cot by the inherent springiness of the frame members, in order to lock the fra'me in tight, vibrationlessand ploying any conventional fastening means, such as clamps, levers, screws, or bolts.

Further objects will appear from the following description, taken in connectionwith the drawing included in and forming a part of this specication, in which Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a mosquito bar supporting frame assembly as applied to a conventional Army cot and showing the mosquito bar fabric in place. f

Fig. 2 is a fragmental sectional View of one en of the cot showing one of the end frames associated therewith.

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view of onev of the end supporting frames. f

Fig. 4 is a detail sectional view of the joint'be'- tween the top of the cornerpost and the horizontal bar, and is taken substantially on the plane of the line 4 4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a fragmental plan view of one corner of the cot.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view through the base of one of the cornerposts, taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 2.

The equipment disclosed in the present application is designed and arranged for convenient attachment to a conventional Army type of folding canvas cot; and, while it has been designed particularly to fulfill present military requirements, it is believed to `be useful in civilian fields as well; and, therefore, should not be understood as being limited in its application.

The folding cot chosen for illustration in the drawing is of a conventional type Widely used in the Army and comprises in general a pair of wooden end frames AI2 extending across the head and foot of the cot, respectively, and maintained in spaced relationship with respect to each other by longitudinal side frame members I I. The side frames are ordinarily of jointed construction, so that they may be folded in a relatively small bundle to facilitate transportation. The supporting surface of the cot is formed of a thickness of canvas, or similar fabric I0, stretched longitudinally between the end frames I 2 and transversely between the side frames I I. It is preferably cut away at the corners, adjacent the intersection of the frame members I I and l2, as shown in Fig. 5.

The frames Il and l2 are interlocked together by any suitable means,` as for example, the dowel I3.

The entire cot structure is supported by identical leg' structures at each end. In the form of the device illustrated, these include the crossed rattleproof engagement with the cot, without emleg members I4 and I5, which are pivotally connected at their point of intersection by means of a rivet I'I extending through a pair of metal reinforcing plates I t. As shown in Fig. 3, the leg I5 is formed of two separate pieces, joined by the plate I6. Thus both of the legs may be fori led of wood of considerable thickness, and they will both lie in the same plane. Each of the legs I and I5 has its upper end pivotally secured to one of the side frames II by a metal reinforcement I8 and pivot I9 in a manner well understood in the art. Inasmuch as the construction and arrangement of all the portions of the cot thus described are conventional and well known in the art and do not, in themselves, form a pertinent part of the present invention, the structure will not be described in this application in any further detail.

The mosquito bar suporting structure, wherein the novelty of the present invention resides, consists in general of two separate and cooperating end frames, each of sectional construction, and each arranged to be individually attached to the cot at the opposite ends so that the mosquito bar netting may be draped over and between the frames and tied in position so that it will entirely surround the sleeping surface of the cot and protect the occupant against insects.

-t may be pointed out that it is considered desirable that the supporting frames for the mosquito bar be of such design and construction that they will snap into snug engagement with the frame members of the cot in order that the cot may be moved from place to place without disturbing the attached supporting frames. It will also be appreciated that it is highly desirable that the frame structures include no right or lefthanded sections, so that the operation of attache ing the supporting frames to the frame elements of the cot may be facilitated. These features and the objects of the invention heretofore described are easily and simply accomplished by the use of a mosquito bar supporting frame of the design and construction herein disclosed. In the preferred construction, each of the end frames includes a vertical corner sectionV having special structural features whereby it may be instantly attached to, or detached from, the frame elements of the cot, kand each of these corner sections eXtends upwardly to a point well above the top of the cot, where they are joined by a crossbar.

Each of the vertical cornerposts ZI includes a base portion terminating in a cam surface 2 D, and anges 22 held in position by rivets 23 and adapted to maintain the lower end of the cornerpost in position on the upper inclined cam surface of one of the legs.

As illustrated, the width of the cornerposts is equal to the thickness of the legs of the cot, so that the side plates 22 hold the lower ends of the cornerposts in exact alignment with, and in the same plane as the legs (see 2). It will be noted, however. that the legs I4 and l5 lie in the same plane. The present invention makes use of this feature of the construction of a conventional Army cot by positioning the cornerposts 2l in the cutaway corner portions of the fabric, adjacent the intersection of the side frames l! and end frames I2, but outside of the upper ends of the legs it and l5; that between the legs and the end frames I2. By this arrangement the cornerposts are inclined outwardly in a longitudinal direction with respect to the cot, so that the upper ends of the cornerposts overhang the cot,

and so that the crossbars 25, at the opposite ends of the cot, will be spaced apart a distance greater than the length of the cot. It is also considered desirable that the upper ends of the cornerposts be inclined outwardly in a transverse direction with respect to the cot, so as to overhang the sides of the cot, as well as the ends. This is accomplished in the present invention by providing crossbars 25 at the upper ends of each end pair of cornerposts, the crossbars being of greater length than the spacing of the lower ends of the cornerposts, so that they will be flexed outwardly. The crossbars 25 are preferably of length equal to or greater than the width of the cot, and have reduced portions 26 to form shoulders at each end, the reduced portions being arranged to iit in transverse openings 21 in the cornerposts; and thus secure the frame in assembled position.

t will be ob-vious, of course, that as the upper ends of the cornerposts 2! are flexed outwardly by the crossbars 25, they will tend to rock about the side frame elements II as fulcrums, so that their lower ends will be urged inwardly. When this occurs, the cam surfaces 2G will tend to ride upwardly along the inclined upper surfaces of the cot legs, which act as cooperating cam surfaces. Upward movement is prevented, however, by shoulder stops 24 secured to the cornerposts and positioned to engage the lower surfaces of the side rails II, with the result that the action of the cam surfaces 2S produces a wedging action suficient to positively lock the entire frame in secure vibrationless, rattleproof association with the frame of the cot.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the teachings of the present invention provide a mosquita bar frame wherein the frame members are automatically locked in position when the frame is assembled, and maintained by the resilient characteristics of the frame members. It is believed pertinent to mention, in passing, that the preferred embodiment of the device, as illustrated in the present drawing, has been developed particularly for use in the United States Army; and has been adopted by the Army as representative of a structure having highly desirable military characteristics. Its uses are believed to extend to commercial and civilian adaptations, as wel1 as military uses however; and it is accordingly requested that the scope of the present invention be regarded as limited only by the terms of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. In a mosquito-bar supporting frame for a canvas cot having rigid end frame elements, rigid side frame elements, a fabric surface and a plurality of supporting legs, the combination of a mosquito-bar supporting frame comprising two separate cooperating end frame assemblies adapted for attachment to the opposite end frames of the cot, respectively, each of said end frame supporting members including a pair of vertical cornerposts; each of saidY cornerposts consisting of a single, straight body of rectangular cross section, said post including a cam surface at its lower end adapted to engage cooperating cam surface on the lower portion of one of the legs of the cot to urge the cornerpost upwardly responsive to lateral forces acting on said post; a shoulder on said post at a point spaced above its lower end and adapted to engage the lower surface of one of the frame members of the cot to prevent upward movement of the cornerpost in response to the action of thexaforemenmosquito-bar supporting'frame comprising two separate cooperating end frame assemblies adapted for attachment to the opposite end frames of the cot, respectively, each of said end frame supporting members including a pair of vertical cornerposts; 4each of said cornerposts consisting of a single, straight body of rectangular cross section, said post including a cam surface at its lower end adapted to engage cooperating cam surface on the lower portion of one of the legs of the cot to wedge together responsive to lateral forces acting on said post; a shoulder on said post at a point spaced above its lower end and adapted to engage one of the frame members of the cot to prevent movement of the cornerpost in response to the action of the aforementioned cam surfaces, and a cross member interconnecting the upper ends of the two cornerposts at one end of the cot to wedge the frame in fixed position.

3. In a mosquito-bar supporting frame for a canvas cot having rigid end frame elements, rigid side frame elements, a fabric surface and a plurality of supporting legs, th'e combination of a mosquito-bar supporting frame comprising two separate cooperating end frame assemblies adapted for attachment to the opposite end frames of the cot, respectively, each of said end frame supporting members including a pair of vertical cornerposts; each of said cornerposts consisting of a single, straight body of rectangular cross section adapted to engage the lower portion of one of the legs of the cot; a shoulder on said post at a point spaced above its lower end and adapted to engage the lower surface of one of the frame members of the cot, and a cross brace interconnecting the upper ends of the two cornerposts at one end of the cot to urge th'em apart; the length of the cross brace being greater than the extreme width ofthe cot. so that the upper ends of each of the cornerposts will be held .in widely separated position and will extend beyond the width of the cot.

4. In a mosquito-bar supporting frame for a canvas cot having rigid end frame elements, rigid side frame elements, a fabric surface and a plurality of supporting legs, the combination of a mosquito-bar supporting frame comprising two separate cooperating end frame assemblies adapted for attachment to the opposite end frames of the cot, respectively, each of said end frame supporting members including a pair of vertical cornerposts; each of said cornerposts consisting of a single, straight body of rectanguin. position' by the inherent resiliency of 'the' cornerposts. Y f

5. In a mosquito-barsupporting frame for, a canvas cot having crossed supporting legs at each end rof the cot, rigid end frame elements, rigid side frame elements,` and a fabric surface extending' between said side frame elements and between said end frame elements but having cut-out portions at the points of intersection of said end and' side frame elements, the combination of a mosquito-bar supporting frame comprising two separate cooperatingend frame assemblies adapted for attachment to the opposite end frames of the cot, respectively; each of said epd frame supporting members including a pair of vertical cornerposts having a base with spaced-apart side flanges adapted tol receive one of the cot legs, a

lar cross section, said post including a surface at Y its lower end adapted to engage thelower portion of one of the legs of the cot, an intermediate portion adapted to engage the lower surface of one of the frame members of the cot, and a cross brace interconnecting the upper ends of the two cornerposts at one end of the cot to urge them apart; the length of the cross brace being greater than the spacing of the lower ends of the cornerposts, so that each of the cornerposts will be flexed away from the other, to the end that the frame supporting members will be maintained vertical riser extending upwardly from the base,

' an upper supporting stop adapted to engage the lower surface of a frame element of the cot, and a supporting portion extending upwardly above the upper stop and ab'ove the surface of the cot, said supporting portion extending through the aforementioned cut-out portion in the fabric surface of the cot, and terminating in an outwardly inclined end portion; a transverse opening in the upper end, and a cross-bar extending in a generally horizontal position between the supporting portions, each end of the cross-bar terminating in reduced portions adapted to fit in the aforementioned transverse openings, and having shoulder portions to maintain the cornerposts in spaced relationship.

6. In a mosquito-bar supporting frame for a canvas cot having crossed supporting legs at each end of the cot, rigid end frame elements, rigid c side frame elements, and a fabric surface extending between said side frame elements and between said end frame elements but having cut-out portions at the points of intersection of said end and side frame elements, the combination of a mosquito-bar supporting frame comprising two separate cooperating end frame assemblies adapted for attachment to the opposite end frames of the cot, respectively; each of said end frame supporting members including a pair of vertical cornerposts having a basewith spaced-apart side anges adapted to receive one of the cot legs, a vertical riser extending upwardly from the base, an upper supporting stop adapted to engage the lower surface of a frame element of the cot, and a supporting portion extending upwardly above the upper stop and above the surface of the cot, said supporting portion extending through the aforementioned cut-out portion in the fabric surface of the cot, and terminating in an outwardly inclined end portion adapted to receive and be engaged by a cross-bar extending in `a generally horizontal position between the supporting portions.

7. In a mosquito-bar supporting frame for a canvas cot having crossed supporting legs at each end of the cot, rigid end frame elements, rigid side frame elements, and a fabric surface extending between said side frame elements and between said end frame elements but having cut-out portions at the points of intersection of said end and side frame elements, the combination of a mosquito-bar supporting frame comprising two separate cooperating end frame assemblies adapted for attachment to the opposite end frames of the cot, respectively; each of lsaid end frame supporting members including a pair of vertical cornerposts consisting of a single, normally straight body portion having a base adapted to receive one of they cot legs, said base including a cam surface adapted to engage a cooperating cam surface on one of the legs of the cot; a vertical riser portion of the cornerpost body extending upwardly from the base, an upper supporting stop adapted to enga-ge the lower surface of a frame element of the cot, the corner posts extending upwardly above the upper stop and above the surface of the cot, said cornerposts extending through the aforementioned cut-out portions in the fabric surface of the cot, and terminating in an outwardly flexed upper portion having 'a transverse opening adapted to receive and be engaged by a cross-bar extending in a generally horizontal position between the supporting rods, each end of the cross-bar terminating in a reduced portion adapted to nt in said opening.

HUGH B. JOHNSON. 

